The Book of Clarence review – a rival Messiah or a very naughty boy?
The Harder They Fall director Jaymes Samuel’s Pythonesque spin on the story of Jesus and the apostles is a wildly indulgent, irreverent blast
December 2023
Boots Riley on strikes, sedition and sex: ‘Being a communist is the closest to being a superhero there is’
The musician, activist and writer’s lo-fi superhero drama I’m A Virgo is so radical it’s the epitome of anti-Marvel. He talks mental health, battling Amazon from within and keeping it ‘janky’
October 2023
Peter Bradshaw's film of the week
The Book of Clarence review – there’s no messiah in here
Jeymes Samuel’s wacky counter-gospel action adventure delivers some good turns but drifts into piety
September 2023
The watcher
The Changeling: this creepy mystery drama is very lucky to star LaKeith Stanfield
The OTT adaptation of Victor LaValle’s novel feels very much like a book that just happens to have an off button. At times, only the Atlanta star’s charisma stops it becoming ridiculous
July 2023
Haunted Mansion review – Disney theme-park chiller is joyless Halloween merch
Lakeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson and Jamie Lee Curtis cannot save this laborious story of a creepy old dwelling and the awful Hatbox Ghost
April 2022
My streaming gem
My streaming gem: why you should watch The Incredible Jessica James
The latest in our series of writers highlighting lesser known movies is a recommendation for a witty 2017 comedy about arrested development
November 2021
‘They’re not cookie-cutter’: dressing the black cowboys of The Harder They Fall
The costume designer Antoinette Messam explains how historical figures informed the looks of Regina King, Idris Elba and Lakeith Stanfield in the new western
October 2021
The Harder They Fall review – Idris Elba rides into trouble in garishly violent western
Jeymes Samuel’s gonzo revenge western, with a cast including Elba, Regina King, and Zazie Beetz is enjoyable, if face-splatteringly brutal
March 2021
Comfort food: the Oscars nominations are not nearly as radical as they think they are
Peter Bradshaw
The full list of 2021 Oscars nominations
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Judas and the Black Messiah review – truly gripping Black Panther drama
Peter Bradshaw's film of the week
Judas and the Black Messiah review – electric Black Panthers drama
February 2021
Lakeith Stanfield: ‘I don’t hold anything back’
Fred Hampton was a radical revolutionary. Judas and the Black Messiah ignores that
Akin Olla
March 2020
The Photograph review – a shimmering romance
Sparks fly in love stories from the past and present beautifully woven together
February 2020
The Photograph review – star charm can't save underdeveloped romance
Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield can’t save this dreary Valentine’s drama that lacks fizzle and emotional stakes
April 2019
Someone Great review - another run-of-the-mill romcom from Netflix
Despite fine performances from Gina Rodriguez and Lakeith Stanfield, the debut film from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson never strays from the genre’s cliches
January 2019
And the winner probably isn't: this season's 11 overlooked film performances
Letitia Wright and Cynthia Erivo among Bafta rising star nominees
December 2018
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Sorry to Bother You review – Boots Riley finds soul-selling comedy gold
A likable loser takes cold calling to a new level in Riley’s gleefully anarchic directorial debut
